Inter Terminal Shuttle Bus

Free buses link T1, T2, and T3 without leaving the airport

The Inter Terminal Shuttle Bus at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) runs between T1, T2, and T3 on the internal road system, so you stay inside the airport perimeter instead of gambling on city taxis or rideshares. This airport-run shuttle is built around airside transfer needs, especially for self-connect and separate-ticket itineraries that require a terminal change on one PNR or two.

The shuttle is free for passengers with a same-day onward flight from another terminal, and staff usually check your boarding pass for T1, T2, or T3 before you board. Buses run on a loop with headways that commonly sit around 15–20 minutes in normal traffic, but surface congestion around T1 and T3 can push that longer during peak hours, so treat that as a minimum, not a guarantee.

Stops sit just outside the terminal buildings: look for “Inter Terminal Transfer” or “Shuttle Bus” signage near the forecourt at T1, the shared frontage for T2, and the departure/arrival forecourt at T3. Allow at least 45–60 minutes door to door between a T1 domestic arrival and a T3 international departure, and pad that to 75–90 minutes if you still need to check bags or clear immigration in T3.

There is no separate luggage trailer, so your checked-sized bags ride inside the bus with you, and a standard 23 kg suitcase plus cabin bag is about all one person can comfortably manage. Seats fill quickly during morning bank waves around 06:00–09:00 and again in the late evening banks around 20:00–23:30, which can mean standing for the 10–20 minute shuttle ride between terminals.

Most buses are basic city-style models with standard bench seats, grab poles, and minimal air-conditioning, and service can feel rough after a red-eye into T3 or a hot midday arrival into T1. There is no onboard Wi‑Fi or power, and announcements can be hard to hear over traffic noise, so watch the terminal signage outside rather than relying on the PA system.

Practical tip: If you land in T1 and need to fly out of T3, walk straight to the Inter Terminal Shuttle Bus stop and budget a hard 2 hours between scheduled arrival and your next departure to cover shuttle time, check‑in, immigration, and security without stress.